What Is Supported Decision Making? Alternatives To Conservatorship

Presented by Jamie Temple, Clients’ Rights Advocate, Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy 

Supported Decision-Making (SDM) is when you use trusted friends, family and professionals to help you understand situations and choices in your life.  It is a way to increase your independence. It encourages you and gives you the power to make decisions about your life as much as possible. SDM is how most adults make daily decisions. 

SDM is a model for assisting people with intellectual and other disabilities to make significant decisions about their lives while drawing on the support of trusted friends and family. Jamie will discuss how supported decision-making is used to support and empower individuals with developmental disabilities.